Dear Shaun T...

Mama Kat's assignment this week.



Write a list of 10 things that are sure to put a smile on your face when you are not happy.


Dear Shaun T,

Today is officially my last day of the Insanity 63-Day Challenge.  The weeks have swiftly passed as my body has slowly transformed.  I was hopeful for change, yet expected little.  I stayed cautiously optimistic, but remained realistic about the results I would actually have.

Who knew that I would become the testimony that motivated me to start?  What was it that made the difference?  How was I able to have the success I did? 

Being "in it" did not make me happy.  I often cursed the TV when you would make me do those dreaded Power Jumps for one full minute.  You made me so furious when you would take a break but would expect me to keep digging deep.  I was not amused by your "it's not a coffee break" comment when I was allowed a mere 30-second recovery. 

You did not make me happy Shaun T when you made me do all those crazy push-ups and the running floor drills, or diamond jumps.  I wanted to punch you in the face sometimes, but alas...I had no more energy.  In fact, you made me cry a couple times after completing the last interval of Max Interval Circuit.  You completely broke me.  Sometimes I wish I could have dunked your head in my pool of sweat and tears.

But then I would finish.  I had all this energy.  I started to realize that you weren't trying to make me unhappy, you were making me better.  Like Kanye says..."N- n- now th- that don't kill me, can only make me stronger!"

For all that pain I endured for holding a plie squat for five minutes, the anger I felt every time you stared right into my eyes and said, "You Can Do It", and the dread I experienced when I popped in that DVD, I am so grateful for even more.

Today I'm smiling not because I completed the challenge, but because you made want to complete another round.  I realize without you pushing me and making me so incredibly unhappy sometimes, I wouldn't be able to experience:

• the confidence to pursue my dream to motivate others
• the satisfaction of setting a goal and achieving it...successfully
• the joy of fitting into everything in my closet
• the pleasure of running again in a sports bra sans the **rollage
• the passion for my own health and well-being
• the love for really healthy food
• the tenacity to push myself a little more each day
• the commitment to journal every meal, snack and handful I've eaten in the past two months
• the dedication to lead by example
• the willingness to become humbled

Sincerely,
Motivation Mama

p.s.  I'll be sending my before and after pics soon!

Preparation

My husband is retired from the military so his live and die mottos are Prepare for the Worst, but Hope for the Best and Prepare for the Unexpected. Though I have much admiration for his approach to everything he does, my motto tends to be a little more on the side of Hope for the Best and if the Worst Happens, Cry a little (or a lot) and then Do Something About It. It's quite obvious, he thinks very rationally, I think very emotionally. Shocker, he's a man. I'm a woman.

Day three of Insanity is complete and I'm happy to say my motto is working quite nicely. I can't help but think about where we'll be in nine weeks, so I'm really hoping for the best and I would consider those power jumps to be probably the worst physical exercise I've endured. I haven't cried yet, but if shouting expletives equals tears, then I would say I've cried (a little). I LOVE the fact that the videos show exactly how much time is remaining in the interval. Being able to see that I just have a short time left to suffer thought the pain, I know that I can do something about it. Or as Shaun T said, "JUST FRIGGIN' DO IT".

I know that I can always get through the physical part of the workout especially now that I know what to expect. The mental anticipation kills me and screws badly with my mind. However, I think the hardest part overall is the eating. No, eating is not hard. That has never been and never will be problem. It's counting the calories. It really makes you so aware of all the little extras we sneak in here and there throughout the day. It's all about preparation. Though I feel like I'm eating so much more than I was before, I'm soon realizing with the intensity of the workouts, I may need to up my calories with more quality.

Attached is Day One of my old school diet journal.  I would never do this for an extended time and as a friend inquired today "six almonds, really?"  For now, "yes, really." 

I guess Ced's motto does work for me after all. Preparing for the unexpected! It's hard to imagine me driving through Whataburger (God forbid) at lunch because I didn't take the time to plan my meals.  But when I get really hungry, only he can tell you how lovely I become.  But I wouldn't let that happen.  I've prepared myself for the worst of this workout with efficient meal planning.  I know, not hope, the best results will happen!